THE search by two fans to track down a 1960s rock band from York has been a success.

Jean Batty and her friend Christine Young ran a fan club for The Roll Movement, who were founded in York and supported acts including Ike & Tina Turner and Cream in the late 1960s.

The pair lost touch with the band - made up of Pete Shaw, John Cartwright, Dave Williams and Cliff Wade - which regularly played at the Zarf club in Stonegate and disbanded in 1968, but wanted to track them down and invite them to Christine’s birthday party in Tadcaster later this month.

After unsuccessfully attempting to track down the band members through social media, numerous readers of The Press got in touch with Jean after a report we ran in October, and she has since spoken with most of the band members.

Jean said: “It has been quite a journey and we are thrilled with the interest that The Press and its readers have shown.

“We received emails from many people from York and further afield including Spain, and Thailand, not only giving information about the band but reminiscing on those times when the band played in the sixties, which has been really interesting and has brought back many great memories for both of us.”

The pair knew Pete Shaw had died, and were aware lead singer Cliff Wade was still involved in the music industry, but thanks to information from Press readers, they have managed to speak with John, Cliff and Dave.

Jean said: “Following on from that information, we have found the members of the band and their manager, which has resulted in Dave Williams and his family, actually coming to the big birthday party this weekend.

“We have been in contact directly and indirectly with John and Cliff who unfortunately are unable to attend. However we are hoping to arrange something for the future. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all of those people who contacted us.”